About Elstow

Elstow is a village located in Bedfordshire, England, within the MK42 postcode area. It is situated approximately two miles south of Bedford, making it easily accessible for those travelling to and from the town. The village features a mix of residential homes and local amenities, providing a sense of community for its residents. One of the notable landmarks in Elstow is the 12th-century Elstow Abbey, which attracts visitors interested in historical architecture. The village also has a few small shops and a primary school, serving the local population. Elstow's surrounding countryside offers opportunities for walking and enjoying the outdoors, making it a pleasant place for both residents and visitors.

School Ratings in Elstow

Elstow is served by 74 schools. Cherry Trees Nursery School, Peter Pan Nursery School and Bedford Free School are each rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 14 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Elstow

Property prices average £350K across the area, and semi-detached homes are the most common property type, typically selling for £282K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Elstow

Local crime rates sit higher than national averages. Anti-social behaviour accounts for the highest share in Elstow, with 84 incidents logged in January 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Elstow

Based on the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, Elstow falls within the mid-range nationally for overall deprivation. Working-age employment is around the national average for the area. Income levels locally sit close to the national average.

Broadband and Mobile Internet in Elstow

Most properties in Elstow can access superfast or ultrafast broadband. 4G coverage is extensive and 5G is increasingly available across the area. For the latest speed predictions, visit Ofcom's broadband checker.

Property Prices 7,351 sales

Average Price £350K
£850 — £50.26M
Detached £394K 1,389
Semi £282K 2,280
Terraced £247K 2,099
Flat £182K 1,341

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

41 Primary
13 Secondary
20 Other
Elstow School Primary 0.8 miles Bedford Academy Secondary Good 0.8 miles Daubeney Academy Secondary 1.1 miles Lakeview School Primary 1.2 miles Shackleton Primary School Primary Good 1.2 miles King's Oak Primary School Primary Good 1.2 miles Springfield Primary School Primary Good 1.2 miles Cherry Trees Nursery School Nursery Outstanding 1.2 miles Camestone School Primary Good 1.2 miles Eastcotts Family Hub (Bedford Borough) Good 1.3 miles Wixams Tree Primary Academy Primary 1.3 miles Wixams Academy Secondary Requires Improvement 1.3 miles

Deprivation and Employment in Elstow IMD 2025

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places Elstow in the mid-range nationally. Employment and income levels are close to the England average, with a mix of opportunities across sectors. Overall living conditions are comparable to similar areas across the country.

Overall Deprivation
5/10
Income
4/10
Employment
5/10
Education
4/10
Health
4/10
Housing
5/10
Living Environment
7/10
13,880 Children (0-15) 22%
41,082 Working Age 65%
10,875 Older (60+) 17%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 41.5% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 22% of over-60s in income-deprived households
Data from English Indices of Deprivation 2025 · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Crime in Elstow 712 crimes · January 2026

High Crime Area

Reported crime in Elstow is above the national average when measured per capita. Violence & sexual offences dominates the figures, a trend mirrored in many urban centres. Local policing teams work actively in the area, and community initiatives continue to address key concerns.

244 Violence & Sexual Offences
84 Anti-Social Behaviour
62 Shoplifting
57 Drugs
52 Criminal Damage & Arson
51 Public Order
43 Other Theft
36 Vehicle Crime
31 Other Crime
27 Burglary
9 Bicycle Theft
8 Weapons
5 Robbery
3 Theft from Person
Local Policing
Bedfordshire Wilstead, Shortstown, Willington Visit force website →
Data from data.police.uk · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Crime figures depend on reporting by individual police forces and may not reflect the full picture in all areas.

Nearest Train Stations 6 stations

Bedford St Johns Train Station 1.7 miles
Kempston Hardwick Train Station 2 miles
Bedford Train Station 2.2 miles
Stewartby Train Station 3.6 miles
Millbrook (Bedfordshire) Train Station 4.8 miles
Lidlington Train Station 6.1 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Wixams 0.6 miles Eastcotts 0.9 miles Harrowden 0.9 miles Shortstown 1.2 miles Fenlake 1.4 miles South End 1.4 miles Duck End 1.4 miles Kempston 1.8 miles Kempston Hardwick 1.8 miles Littleworth 1.8 miles Bedford 1.9 miles Cardington 2 miles

Local Government

District Bedford
Ward Cauldwell
Constituency Bedford
Parish Bedford, unparished area
Region East of England

Streets in MK42 30 shown View all streets

A600 4 Abbey Close 2 Abbey Fields 3 Abbott Crescent 2 Acacia Road 3 Acorn Way 1 Adams Close 2 Addison Close 1 Alamein Avenue 2 Alburgh Close 3 Alder Close 3 Althorpe Street 1 Ampthill Road 13 Ampthill Street 4 Arkwright Road 4 Armstrong Drive 2 Arnold Way 1 Ashdale Avenue 1 Aspley Road 1 Aston Road 2 Austin Canons 2 Austin Gardens 1 Aviation Way 1 Avocet Road 1 Baker Drive 1 Baldwin Walk 1 Balliol Road 6 Bamford Road 6 Banks Close 1 Barford Avenue 3

Postcodes in MK42 50 shown View all postcodes

MK42 0AA MK42 0AB MK42 0AD MK42 0AE MK42 0AF MK42 0AG MK42 0AH MK42 0AJ MK42 0AL MK42 0AN MK42 0AP MK42 0AQ MK42 0AR MK42 0AS MK42 0AT MK42 0AU MK42 0AW MK42 0AX MK42 0AY MK42 0AZ MK42 0BE MK42 0BF MK42 0BG MK42 0BH MK42 0BJ MK42 0BN MK42 0BS MK42 0BT MK42 0BU MK42 0BW MK42 0BX MK42 0BY MK42 0BZ MK42 0DA MK42 0DB MK42 0DD MK42 0DE MK42 0DF MK42 0DG MK42 0DH MK42 0DJ MK42 0DL MK42 0DN MK42 0DP MK42 0DQ MK42 0DR MK42 0DS MK42 0DT MK42 0DU MK42 0DW